The Lea Primary School in Harpenden has converted an old shipping container, previously used for storage, into a Wellbeing Hub for its pupils. The school prides itself on giving high priority to helping pupils with mental health issues and assisting those who need extra support, and saw this as an opportunity to provide a new facility for the children.

 

The project was made possible through funding from The Lea's PTA and a grant from The Harpenden Trust.

 

Read the full report in the Herts Advertiser here

The Blue Tangerine Foundation are really pleased to say that their garden designed, created, grown and tendered by children and young people with SEND has been awarded a Silver Medal and judged by the same standards as the world's most accomplished designers and horticulturalists.  The garden has been another fantastic achievement and highlights tireless practice to help secure the skills needed to thrive throughout childhood to successfully embark adulthood in our mainstream world.

You can watch the BBC's interview with Executive Head, Stephen Hoult-Allen here

The new 'Wonder room' at Links Academy was opened this week by Daisy Cooper.  The room aims to prepare pupils for the future by showing them the past and is filled with pieces of technology and ordinary household items that, until recently, were a normal part of all our lives.

 

Typewriters, old telephones and early computers, along with old toys and books have all been donated. The Wonder Room is a unique space within the school which is designed to feel like another world, where students always have somewhere exciting to visit. It contains all manner of interesting, unusual and wondrous objects: from old toys to optical illusions, huge sea shells to mind-bending puzzles and prehistoric fossils to inflatable Daleks.  The items will stimulate discussion and help learning about history and technology.

 

Earlier this term, Jenny Byford, SENCo at Sauncey Wood school in Harpenden, was approached by Widgit and asked to participate in an interview on the school's use of Widgit symbols in the classroom. The interview developed into a good practice video and article on the Widgit website, and has been published today in Nasen's monthly magazine 'Connect'.  

Read the article here - https://nasen.org.uk/resources/nasen-connect-magazine-march-2023

 

A new sensory room for children of all ages and abilities has been officially opened at Park Street primary school.  The room, which was installed at the end of the summer term, was funded by children's charity the Wooden Spoon (Hertfordshire region).  Features include an infinity panel, an ultraviolet carpet and mesmerising lighting, and the room will help children learn to self-regulate, which will ultimately improve focus and learning in the classroom.

 

Headteacher Monique Gregory said she was delighted with the room: “We are so pleased to be able to provide a safe and calming space for all our children, particularly those with sensory needs.  It is such a beneficial addition to our school and we are extremely grateful for the Wooden Spoon grant that made this possible!”

 

When asked what they like about the sensory room, one of the children said: "When I am in the sensory room, I feel so calm. It is so satisfying looking at all the colours around me”.

In the near future, Park Street is hoping to offer the use of the sensory room to other local primary schools and early years settings, enabling even more children to benefit from the facility.

One parent shared: “What an amazing opportunity for our children. The children are going to benefit immensely from this outstanding resource. We are very lucky!”

 

CONGRATULATIONS to The Lea Primary School and Nursery, which is the first Primary school in the St Albans District to receive the kitemark for Emotional Wellbeing and Mental Health Awareness by Healthy Young Minds in Hertfordshire (HYMIH). The accreditation is for a school's contribution to supporting mental health and wellbeing and need to demonstrate reflective practice with clear actions on how to develop good practice and have a clear plan on how to address any gaps. 

 

Headteacher James Berry said: “We know that physical health and mental wellbeing are interlinked, and we put great emphasis on teaching so that pupils understand that good physical health contributes to good mental wellbeing, and vice versa. We are really proud of this accreditation as it validates our school ethos of Learn, Enjoy, Achieve and the importance we put on our pupils' mental health.”

 

Special educational needs co-ordinator Sally Davey added: “All elements of our school curriculum are designed around nurturing individuals and ensuring that all children understand the characteristics of good physical health and mental wellbeing. The process of gaining this accreditation has been hugely beneficial as it has enabled us to consolidate that learning and really put it into practice.”